The shadows of the waning day gather
around my feet like an ebony cat, warm
and detached. It is done, this day, locked
in an enameled matchbox of memory.
This moment, this speck of infinity
before I become dreamless rest,
is but a part of the ordered day, a day
like all days, ordered and ordained.
A day begun with prayer must needs
end with prayer, another line of song,
another hymn, another cry of joy,
whispered praise in the chorus of creation.
This poem is submitted to Open Mike Night at dVerse Poets. To see more poems, please visit the site. The links will be live at 2 p.m. Central time today.
Photograph: Moon by Daniele Pellati via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.
35 comments:
"The shadows of the waning day gather/around my feet like an ebony cat": lovely, Glynn. A vivid image. I also like very much "enameled matchbox", which combines a sense of the ornate (the miraculousness of the day) and the very small ("this speck of infinity" you'll keep boxed).
That invocation, the image of the moon, the color of your background all work to impose a silence, as that "chorus of creation" completes its song.
lovely, the night like a cat...great start...and what a way to end (and begin) the day as well...it puts it into perspective you know...some great touches here glynn
It's a very peaceful way to end the day ... immersed in truth.
prayer, lost without it.
peaceful and lovely !
Tranquil, really fond of the delicate imagery used...particularly enjoyed "enameled matchbox of memory." ~ Beautiful write ~ Rose
Had me at ebony cat, wonderful start to the piece and just flowed great to the end, truly is a chorus of creation in and of itself.
loved the ebony cat metaphor... a great piece!
Beautiful poem. I just love the line: "It is done, this day, locked
in an enameled matchbox of memory."
really beautiful, love the last line, love the image of all of this an enameled matchbox.
The chorus of creation -- how sweet.
And I'd love to have a matchbox, enameled. I suppose at one time they we re all enameled. And probably would fetch pretty penny today!
A lovely little write to tuck into my pocket today -- thanks.
whispering in the chorus of creation...love this glynn..also the cat, warm, detached....the locked in matchbox memory...really enjoyed the read
silence
throughout night
as the last
becomes first
Yup. ME--for that whispered praise in the chorus of creation...which is ongoing through invented time. Tight, and well written A Pleasure to read and think about!
i would like to hear it read.
oooh, it would be beautiful read by mDoallas.
Love your open lines. What an encouraging read.
the ebony cat... this speck of infinity...
beautiful.
~
deb
The shadows of the waning day gather
around my feet like an ebony cat, warm
Oh yes I can feel it!!!
Well done. Cat and detachment/Speck of infinity and ordered/ Prayer-beginning and end. Love the way you structured this piece and how each part played so well together.
"ordered and ordained"... I like that. Compline is my favorite of the daily offices. Thanks for the poem, Glynn.
a day
like all days, ordered and ordained.
Sad, but amazing poem, Glyn
Nice way to end the day
I loved it, thank you.
You are such a gifted writer Glynn! Your poems just get better and better. I love the beginning - perfect word picture.
"gather around my feet like an ebony cat" ... I love this!
You can read mine at safehousepoetry.wordpress.com if you'd like.
The stunning images you conjure up, so gently harnessed to the liturgy's ancient structures, nicely reflect its "unchanging but ever-new" call to prayer.
Beautifully captured, Glynn, a very fitting end to the series.
I'll return to this piece again, Glynn. The images of the dark day's end are haunting, but bookending them with joyful worship keeps the darkness at bay. Beautiful work.
Sigh. Your words make my spirit sing, my soul weep for joy.
Thank you.
well, you've sent me to dictionary.com more than anyone else. "Compline" =) and all the other words for the hours of the day.
I appreciate that you are a teacher and a learner. This series has been beautifully written. I come away with "whispered praise in the chorus of creation."
Peaceful and musical. Lovely!
one of the best you've written, mr. glynn
"It is done, this day, locked
in an enameled matchbox of memory." beautiful line...sometimes it is hard to wrap up a day and let it just be with out opening up the box again and again.
I love that ebony cat around you feet...warm and reflective....beautiful way to view and be thankful for the day...bkm
"The shadows of the waning day gather
around my feet like an ebony cat, warm
and detached"
aw man, this is a great line, jealous, wish I wrote it.
:)
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